Lupus: More Common in Women

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In the U.S., there are about 1.5 million people living with lupus and each year, more than 16,000 new cases are diagnosed. Globally, there are at least five million people with lupus.

What is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune, chronic inflammatory disease that is caused by the immune system attacking your own tissues and organs. The inflammation associated with lupus can affect all different parts of the body such as the kidneys, brain, heart, joints, lungs, and skin. The severity of lupus can range from being mild to life-threatening. While there is no cure for lupus, there are treatment options available that can manage the symptoms and allow you to go on about your normal life. 

Normally, the immune system is responsible for defending and protecting our bodies from foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Our immune system produces proteins called antibodies which are in charge of fighting off harmful antigens. But with an autoimmune disease, like lupus, your immune system cannot differentiate between our healthy cells and the harmful cells that are attacking our tissues and organs. The autoimmune disease actually produces antibodies that attack the healthy cells, which is what causes the chronic inflammation within the body. 

The cause of lupus is not exactly clear. However, it is believed that lupus is caused by factors including your genetics and your environment. People who have a genetic predisposition for lupus may only develop it after being exposed to certain environmental factors. Environmental factors that may contribute to the development of the disease include infections, sunlight, and medications. Infections suppress the immune system which can trigger the symptoms of lupus. Exposure to sunlight can trigger the skin lesions associated with lupus or other symptoms. Medications, such as for epilepsy or blood pressure, can cause symptoms of lupus.

Risk Factors for Lupus

  • Being female
    • While lupus can affect both men and women, women are affected most.
    • In fact, 90 percent of people who are diagnosed with lupus are women.
  • Age
    • People between the ages of 15 and 44 are most likely to develop lupus.
  • Race
    • Lupus is more common if you are African-American, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian.

Signs and Symptoms of Lupus

Every case of lupus is different. The signs and symptoms of lupus are not specific to the disease. The severity of the symptoms can change; at times they can be much worse and make you feel sicker, while other times they can subside and you will feel much better. The signs and symptoms a person experiences will vary depending on which part of the body the disease is affecting. The most common signs and symptoms include:

  • A rash in the shape of a butterfly that spreads across the cheeks and nose
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Fever
  • Confusion, memory loss, headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Pain, stiffness, and swelling in your joints
  • Skin lesions (which are caused by and/or made worse when exposed to sunlight)
  • Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods
  • Dry eyes

Diagnosing Lupus

Because the signs and symptoms of lupus are not specific to the disease, it can be difficult to diagnose. The signs and symptoms of lupus can in fact be similar for other health conditions. For this reason, there is no specific, single test to test for lupus. The tests available to diagnose lupus include blood tests, urine tests, and imaging tests.

  • Urinalysis
    • Higher levels of protein and red blood cells could will show if lupus is affecting your kidneys.
  • Kidney and liver function
    • Lupus affects the kidneys and liver, so testing the function of these organs is necessary.
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
    • Measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and hemoglobin in the blood.
    • This is done to check if the patient has anemia or a low white blood cell count, both of which are commonly found in people with lupus. 
  • Antinuclear antibody test
    • If positive, does not mean you have lupus, just that further testing is recommended.
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
    • Determines how fast red blood cells settle at bottom of test tube in an hour. A faster than normal rate may mean lupus, or another type of inflammatory condition.
  • Echocardiogram
    • To check if there are any problems with your heart, which lupus may affect.
  • Chest x-ray
    • Will show if there is fluid or inflammation in the lungs.
  • Possibly a biopsy, if lupus may have harmed your kidneys.
    • Treatment will vary depending on type of damage.

Lupus Treatment Options

Unfortunately, there is no cure for lupus. However, there is treatment available that can help control the symptoms. Treatment depends on the signs and symptoms a person with lupus is experiencing. Because symptoms of lupus can “flare up” and subside, your doctor may alter your medications depending on the severity of the symptoms. The most commonly used medications to manage lupus include:

  • Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, can reduce inflammation
  • NSAIDS may be used to treat pain, swelling or fever associated with lupus
  • Immunosuppressants may be used if lupus becomes severe
  • Antimalarial drugs may also help manage lupus